Slovenian Businesses, People Eager For September Start Of EuroBasket 2013

When Slovenia hosts EuroBasket 2013 in September, it will "qualify as the biggest sporting event in the country's history," according to Jesús Pérez Ramos of MUNDO DEPORTIVO. The competition, which will run from Sept. 4-22, "will be the culminating moment of activities that have been planned for more than two years." The organizers have offers for help from 2,536 volunteers in a country "with a population of only 2 million." The number of volunteers "created a problem because only 1,100 are needed, meaning the rest were rejected." The cities hosting the games -- Ljubljana, Celje, Koper and Jesenice -- will "create zones with bars, basketball-related activities and big screen TVs for those who cannot get tickets." The cities have also "allowed bars and restaurants to increase their business hours to satisfy demand" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 7/17).